What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 너 (you) and 미쳤어 (the past tense of to go crazy).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 너 미쳤어 is informal and should only be used with close friends or people younger than you. For a polite version, you can use 미쳤어요, though adding the suffix -요 to the end makes the phrase polite, though calling someone 'crazy' is rarely considered truly polite. There are also formal versions available, such as (당신은) 미쳤습니다! or (당신은) 미치셨어요!, which can be used to say "You're crazy!" or "You've gone crazy!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the verb used in this phrase is 미치다.
How do you pronounce it?
neo michyeosseo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should avoid using this phrase with superiors or strangers, as it is highly offensive in Korean social hierarchies.
Did you know?
- The verb 미치다 (to go crazy) also means 'to reach' or 'to extend to' in other contexts. In Korean, the idea of losing one's mind is linguistically linked to the concept of reaching a certain limit.
- In Korean social hierarchy, using the word 'you' (너) is often more dangerous than the word 'crazy' (미쳤어) itself. Using the wrong pronoun can cause more offense than the actual accusation.
- In modern Korean pop culture and dramas, 너 미쳤어? is often used as a playful or flirtatious rhetorical question between couples rather than a genuine insult.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a dangerous stunt one of them wants to try.
- 지훈 Ji-hun나 내일 번지점프 할 거야.na naeil beonjijeompeu hal geoya.I'm going to do bungee jumping tomorrow.
- 서연 Seo-yeon너 미쳤어?neo michyeosseo?Are you crazy?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니, 진짜 재미있을 것 같아.ani, jinjja jaemiisseul geot gata.No, I think it will be really fun.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈아, 제발 조심해.jihoon-a, jebal josimhae.Jihoon, please be careful.
